Stanley David Garrick, Egaibu of Siluko (8 June 1888 - 12 May 1958) was a senior administrator and courtier to His Royal Highness Oba Akenzua II, the 37th Oba

Oba (ruler)

Oba is a West African synonym for monarch, one that is usually applied to the Yoruba and Edo rulers of the region. It is also often used by their traditional subjects to refer to other kings and queens, such as Elizabeth I of England, in their native languages.-Edo account of the word's origin:The...

 of the Kingdom of Benin, now southern Nigeria. His father was a Sierra Leone Creole catechist called J.D. Garrick.

Professional life

Garrick was appointed to run Benin's postal service in 1923 after the Southern Nigerian Government had become responsible for managing the protectorate's postal system. He subsequently oversaw the growth of Benin's importance as a postal hub at a time when its delta location made water transport the preferred means of serving a region that lacked adequate roads.

Honour

In recognition of his services to Benin, baronial lands in the district of Siluko were settled on Garrick in 1943 as a personal gift of the Benin monarch, HRH Oba Akenzua II.

Private life

Garrick and his wife, Comfort Ramotu, had three sons and two daughters in a marriage lasting over four decades.

Last years

In later years, Garrick devoted his time to his farms and rubber plantations. However, the loss of his sight towards the end of his life curtailed the enjoyment of his estates. On his death in 1958, the Siluko barony passed to his eldest son and heir, George A. Garrick

George A. Garrick

George Adeniji Garrick, MB ChB held Nigeria's high jump record from 1938 until 1953.-Background:Born in Lagos on April 8, 1917, George Adeniji Garrick was the eldest son of Stanley David Garrick, a senior administrator and courtier to HRH The Oba of Benin in the former Kingdom of Benin, now...

 - better known as the holder of Nigeria's High Jump record between 1938 and 1953.

Descendants

Among Garrick's descendants are several grandchildren who have also dedicated themselves to public service. They include His Lordship Stanley Shenko Alagoa, Justice

Justice

Justice is a concept of moral rightness based on ethics, rationality, law, natural law, religion, or equity, along with the punishment of the breach of said ethics; justice is the act of being just and/or fair.-Concept of justice:...

 of the Nigerian Court of Appeal; His Excellency Kayode Ralph Garrick, Ambassador

Ambassador

An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....

 Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Nigeria

Nigeria

Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...

 to Brazil

Brazil

Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...

; Dr. Chike Gwam, international practitioner of paediatric and internal medicine; and Dr (Mrs) Abigail Funlayo Afiesimama (née Alagoa), a Linguist and university lecturer.

Memorial

The Garrick Memorial School, a secondary school in Benin City

Benin City

Benin City, is a city and the capital of Edo State in southern Nigeria. It is a city approximately twenty-five miles north of the Benin River. It is situated 200 miles by road east of Lagos...

, is named in honour of Stanley David Garrick and its ethos is based on his spirit of civic duty.

Sources

Nigeria Direct, Garrick Family, Palace of Benin, National Archives of Nigeria, Garrick Memorial School, Vanguard Newspaper Archives, Nigerian Bar Association

Nigerian Bar Association

The Nigerian Bar Association is the umbrella body of all lawyers admitted to practice law in Nigeria.Any lawyer who satisfies the members of the Body of Benchers that they have good character and proficiency in the Bar Final Examination from the Nigerian Law School is automatically admitted.The...

, John Harris Library of the University of Benin